Update T-Mobile Moto X with Custom Android 4.4 KitKat Firmware

Even though Motorola announced that the Android 4.4 KitKat official update will be soon released for the Moto X we all know that it will take a while until we will actually see the OTA rolled out. Also, since we are talking about an OTA launch, the same will be offered in phases, which means that some Moto X users will receive the KitKat software sooner than others. Also, do consider that if you are on a rooted Jelly Bean OS, the OTA will not be received on your phone – you will have to flash the Android 4.4 OS manually.

Anyway, considering these aspects, maybe you are already tired of waiting; in that case, well, I will show you how to update your T-Mobile Moto X to Android 4.4 KitKat firmware ahead of the official release of the same. As you can already tell, this step by step guide can be used for that purpose only as the guidelines from below are showing you how to install a custom ROM software which is based on Android 4.4 on your T-Mobile version of Moto X. The tutorial will show an easy to apply update method as you will be using a fastboot image.

Of course, this Android 4.4 port has been provided by those of xda-developers, so you should thanks the devs for the present tutorial. Anyhow, in order to make things clear, this Android 4.4 KitKat build is not the official update released by Motorola and T-Mobile for the Moto X. You are flashing a custom ROM, so this guide should be applied with caution. However, if you follow my indication you have nothing to worry about; also consider this tutorial something like a “one-click update” solution that is available for your T-Mobile Moto X.

Now, this build of Android 4.4 comes with almost all the stock KitKat features as you will be able to enjoy on your T-Mobile X features like Touchless Control, Active Display, Camera SMS with Hangout, updated keyboard and lot more. Furthermore, this port does not come with Google Experience launcher with Google Now on the left side while the status bar is still themed with the ICS/JB blue – on the leaked Nexus 5 Android 4.4 firmware the status bar was white. Anyway, beside that you will be getting the stock AOSP Android KitKat features, looks, capabilities and apps on your Moto X.

Also, this ROM is stable and works without bugs or issues. Everything is smoothly running, this according to those who have already flashed this software on their T-Mobile Moto X. Now, the ROM will not be applied by using the classic update procedure that is used when it comes to unofficial ports of Android OS. Therefore, you will not flash the Android 4.4 firmware via CWM recovery or by using any other custom recovery image. The process will be much easier so you have nothing to worry about – as I have already stated, you can consider this procedure a one-click update solution that has been made available for your T-Mobile Moto X.

But for being able to complete this tutorial your Moto X must have an unlocked bootloader. Root access isn’t required though, so you just have to ensure that the bootloader is unlocked – if not unlock it before going any further. This Android 4.4 KitKat firmware will eventually update the bootloader and recovery, so you may lose the root access – if your phone is currently rooted. Don’t worry though as a root solution for the new OS will be developed too; stay close as we will update you with a suitable tutorial as soon as the root exploit comes out.

Since the bootloader must be unlocked, now you will lose the Moto X warranty; basically this is happening because you are performing unofficial operations on your phone. Anyway, you can restore the warranty by either downgrading to stock Jelly Bean OS or by updating with official Android 4.4 KitKat ROM when to OTA will be released. But, returning to our guide, in order to avoid the unpleasant situations, first of all you will have to backup the data of your T-Mobile Moto X.

The data which is being saved on the internal storage of your handset might get erased or corrupted which means that you can lose everything that’s important for you and here I am talking about your contacts list, call logs, text messages, market apps and so on. If you are on a rooted OS, you can download free distributed apps from Google Play for backing up almost everything you want.

Good, now before starting to apply the steps from below, you need to know that a computer is being required. On the same you should deactivate the security protection because the antivirus programs might interfere with the update procedure; don’t worry as your computer will not be infected during the flashing operation. Also, your Moto X must have enough battery life, or it will get turned off in the middle of the update operation – if that happens you can brick your device. So, it is important to plug in the charger if the battery level is lower than 50% power. At some point you will have to connect your smartphone with the computer; for being able to safely establish the connection, on your phone USB debugging must be checked out – you can enable the same option by going to “menu -> settings -> developer options”.

Since this is an unofficial port of Android 4.4 KitKat system, the present guide is compatible only with the T-Mobile version of the Moto X. So, don’t use the steps from below for updating another Android based device with the same firmware as you will end up in bricking your handset. Besides that, just follow the steps from below and everything will go as planned.

How to Update T-Mobile Moto X with Custom Android 4.4 KitKat Firmware

First of all you need to download the required file on your computer.

In order to do that, on your computer go to this page.

The download should begin automatically.

Choose to save the file on desktop.

In the end, unzip the downloaded file also on desktop if possible.

Now, you need to boot your T-Mobile Moto X in fastboot mode.

For doing that first turn off your phone and wait a few seconds before heading to the next step.

Then, press the power and volume down button at the same time for a few seconds; release the buttons when fastboot mode is being displayed.

Use the USB cable and plug it in for connecting your handset with your computer.

Now, on computer go to the extracted folder.

From there click on the flashall.bat executable file and run the same.

The Android 4.4 KitKat firmware will now be installed on your T-Mobile Moto X.

Enjoy.

Congratulations, you have successfully completed our dedicated step by step guide. So, now you know how to update the T-Mobile Moto X to Android 4.4 KitKat OS ahead of the official OTA release. Your smartphone is now running on a custom ROM firmware so if you find bugs or things that aren’t working perfectly, use the comments area from below and share the same with us. Don’t worry though as all the problems will soon be resolved by the devs who have provided this ported version of Android 4.4 OS. Also, since you have completed a manual update operation, during the same you might have had experienced some problems. If that happened, you can learn how to resolve the most common Android issues by using our dedicated step by step guide.